My name is Ryan Beckwith and I am training for the 2012 Olympic Games in the event of the Decathlon.  I grew up in the military, moving all over the country.  During my childhood I played every sport available, everything from Soccer in Virginia to Ice Hockey in Alaska.  Eventually we ended in southern California where I picked up Football and Track and Field, both which I continued through my collegiate career; attending both California State University Northridge (BA-Communications) and the University of Georgia (MA-Sports Management).

 I fell in love with Track and Field at a very young age, as my father was an “Olympic Hopeful” in the pole vault early in his Air Force career.  I was introduced to the sport as most youngsters are, watching the Olympic Games on television.  Needless to say, I was hooked.  In high school I was a CIF Champion in the 4x100m relay and ran a Riverside County Top 20 best of 21.7 at 200 meters.  From there I was a scholarship athlete in Football and Track and Field.  During my time in the collegiate setting I reached my top marks of 10.48 at 100m, 20.96 at 200m, 46.92 at 400m, 25’2” in the Long Jump, 17’5” in the Pole Vault.  Although I was able to compete in these events, I was never able to compete in a Decathlon as I missed the fall training that is vital to a Decathlete due to football season.  It has been a long-standing dream to be a Decathlete, a dream that I am now pursuing.

After finishing my Master’s Degree at the University of Georgia, I fell into coaching.  I have found no other endeavor that has compared to the art of competing, than that of helping others pursue their love for it.  I was a volunteer coach at UGA while finishing up my degree, and then I moved on to UCLA where I was a strength and conditioning coach for two and a half years.  From that point I moved to Northern California where I started the strength program and assisted on the track and field staff at Junipero Serra High School (San Mateo), where I coached for three years.  I also started my own business of training athletes of all ages and sports, training them on the value of correct techniques while living and training with absolute integrity.

I have recently made the decision to resign from formal employment to pursue the dream of the Olympic Games.  I could not continue to coach and motivate my athletes to pursue their dreams when I had not fully committed to that myself.  I now stand before them as the example of living and believing in your dreams.

In order for me to achieve the dream of the Olympic Games, I need your help.  As a part of this portfolio, my training and monthly expenses are included.  Training is a full time job.  In order for me to make the dream a reality, I must dedicate every minute possible to the physical training, mental preparation and proper recuperation of the body.  Any assistance would be greatly appreciated, even if you can only afford moral support, I will gladly accept. Thank you.